We do not "come into" this world; we come out of it, as leaves from a tree.

Your work is to discover your work and then with all your heart to give yourself to it.

The most important factor in achieving happiness is the mind. Happiness and suffering are mental states and therefore depend on the mind.

Mindfulness isn't difficult, we just need to remember to do it.

When you practice zazen you should not try to attain anything. You should just sit in the complete calmness of your mind and not rely on anything.

The dharma is not outside of you. Looking for it elsewhere is like placing a Buddha on your head while searching for him everywhere else.

A good friend who points out mistakes and imperfections and rebukes evil is to be respected as if he reveals a secret of hidden treasure.

When you note pain, you should not dwell on the thought, "I feel pain." Simply recognize the presence of pain.

Just observe whatever arises. Don't try to create anything, and don't reject anything.

In true dialogue, both sides are willing to change.

For whom emptiness is possible, everything is possible. For whom emptiness is not possible, nothing is possible.

Real freedom is not about controlling our experience, but about being free within our experience.

Our practice cannot be perfect, but without being discouraged by this, we should continue it. This is the secret of practice.

The purpose of meditation is to make our mind calm and peaceful. If our mind is peaceful, we will be free from worries and mental discomfort.

Wherever you are, you are one with the clouds and one with the sun and the stars you see. You are one with everything. That is more true than I can say, and more true than you can hear.

Trees, mountains, and vines all exist in nature according to their own truth. They are born and die following their nature. They remain this way because that's what they are. They don't practice meditation or do anything special.

The instant you speak about a thing, you miss the mark.

Suffering is not the end of the story; it is the middle of the story.

Hope is important because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear. If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today.

For things to reveal themselves to us, we need to be ready to abandon our views about them.

To live is enough.

Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck.

Just as parents care for their children, you should bear in mind the whole universe.

The trouble is, you think you have time.

The nature of life is change. The nature of change is painful. The nature of pain is temporary.

The more you meditate, the more you understand yourself and the better friend you become to yourself.

When we understand that peace is not dependent on external conditions, we can find it in the midst of any circumstance.

Treat every moment as your last. It is not preparation for something else.

Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know.

Smile, breathe, and go slowly.

When we are mindful, deeply in touch with the present moment, our understanding of what is going on deepens, and we begin to be filled with acceptance, joy, peace and love.

The secret of happiness is to want what you already have.

The Buddha never taught a sectarian religion; he taught Dhamma - the way to liberation - which is universal.